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Sony Ericsson, once the second biggest Symbian stalwart after Nokia, has already announced its first Windows handset and is interested in an Android model. Its new operating system neutrality is reflected in a reorganization of its development activities this week, which puts Windows and Linux, as well as Chinese focused projects, into the limelight.

The reshuffle is intended to rationalize R&D investment as the joint venture looks to increase its cost efficiencies and extend its reach in emerging markets, following a difficult few quarters in its core mediaphone and smartphone sectors. It had already warned of 2,000 job losses, and now details of the new structure have been fleshed out.

Reflecting the push for the Chinese market as 3G looms - as well as ready availability of low cost software development skills there - user interface development will now be centered in Beijing, according to sources cited by The Register. There will be 400 job cuts in the company's North Carolina operation, sources said, although there will be expansion of the California R&D facility where Windows Mobile devices like the upcoming Xperia X1 are created.

Symbian development will continue, though SE admits the next few flagship new devices will focus on other operating systems. Symbian activity will be centered in a facility near Malmo, Sweden, which will become a "Symbian competence hub", but with its primary focus, for now at least, on integration more than new apps development. Of course, this reflects the maturity of Symbian, and large range of software compared to newer OSs, as well as any decommitment by SE.

UIQ, the Symbian user interface platform co-owned with Motorola, will remain in its offices in Ronneby, Sweden, but the future of the product is in doubt. Although it is one of three key Symbian architectures that will be open sourced from next year - along with Series 60 and DoCoMo's system - SE has already said it will develop new UIs using S60, and has closed two UIQ offices in London and Hungary.

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